Hi everyone, Icetea, my St Bernard, must have some sort of behavioural issue; he has these mad moments. I can't explain it... Last year, when Muffin was still a puppy, he started pulling out or nibbling his fur. It looks like he's shaving him. Muffin ended up with no fur left on the back of his thighs or his back. I called my vet (well, the vet nurse, actually), but she couldn't give me an explanation; she'd never heard of anything like it. Muffin doesn't seem to mind, as he just lets him get on with it. And now he's started doing it again recently. What's bothering me, besides the worry for Muffin, is that I'm meant to have Muffin's breed confirmation assessment at the start of May. If he's missing patches of fur, I won't be able to go ahead with it. Last week, they were in contact with a female dog that had the scent of a friend who's currently in season. Could that have gone to his head? And as a result, could he be mistaking Muffin for a female? Has anyone else ever had this problem?
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Evening everyone, my St Bernard, Icetea, must have some kind of behavioural issue; he has these real mad turns. Let me explain... Last year, when Muffin was still a puppy, Icetea kept pulling out or nipping off his fur. It looked like he was shaving him. Muffin ended up with no hair on the back of his thighs or on his back. I called my vet (well, the vet nurse), but she couldn't give me an explanation; she'd never heard of anything like it. Muffin doesn't seem to mind, he just lets him get on with it. But it's started up again recently, and what's really bothering me – as well as Muffin’s poor coat – is that I'm supposed to be getting Muffin ‘confirmed’ (for his breed registration) at the start of May. If he’s missing patches of fur, I won't be able to. Last week, they were around a ***** who smelled like a friend of hers who was in season. Could that have gone to his head? And is it possible he’s mistaking Muffin for a female? Has anyone else ever had this problem?
Hi Elodie, I’m having the exact same problem with my dogs. Did you ever find a solution? Thanks.
Just like with any neurosis or OCD, there are always going to be some periods that are tougher than others. Depending on the moment, they’ll be more or less affected. It’s always down to stress.
Your garden and the woods are two very different things! He needs to get his mind onto something else by discovering new smells, different locations and meeting new pals – it's all about mental stimulation and he really needs to use his brain!
I agree that it's all mental, but if he's plucking out Muffin's fur for entertainment, I'm going to have to find him something else to do instead. It won't be easy though, as it has to be something he can do several times a day. But why does it only happen in spells rather than all the time? We haven't changed our routine at all.
Your garden and the woods are two completely different things! He needs to get his mind on other things by discovering new scents, different places, and meeting new pals; it's all about mental stimulation, and he really needs to give his brain a proper workout!
"He really needs to be able to let off steam in the woods off-lead!"
He already lets off steam at home; they’ve got over three-quarters of an acre of land and they certainly make the most of it – he runs around so much that he’s about 65 lbs underweight. He doesn’t stop for a second... so I think that’s what he’s missing.
For a Saint Bernard, I’d give 6 to 8 drops 4 times a day for a month to see if it makes a difference. You absolutely must follow up with long walks to tire him out and help him de-stress. That’s the key. Keep us posted! Thanks.
I’m going to start the Bach Flower Remedies today. As for the walks, I’ll have to wait for my partner because two dogs and a buggy is going to be a bit of a handful.
It might take a bit too long to explain exactly how to go about it and everything, but personally, I prefer a direct approach. In a situation like this, I’d just tell the dog to stop.
Other schools of thought suggest distracting them by redirecting them towards a different behaviour.
This is only possible because you're around so much. You have to act at just the right moment—ideally the split second before he starts.
Ultimately, whatever method you use, the goal is to get the Saint Bernard to stop plucking the other dog's fur.
I'll keep a close eye on him to see if there's a certain way he acts before he goes for it, so I can distract him beforehand.
